( It's been two years since Aventurine found himself on what he's come to call Ratio's island. He knows the man is Doctor Veritas Ratio, because he introduced himself to Aventurine the third week he'd shown up near daily. He's not used to someone wanting to talk to the animals they're studying, and so he'd been curious about the stern man who didn't have anything better to do than conduct his research alone. On the few times he's seen the man interact with others -- on a phone or in person -- he seems as irritable as most humans. Maybe even more.
But with the seals he's respectful, if stiffly formal. None of them are selkie like him, of course, but they're good company and look out for him as much as he does them. And Ratio looks out for them all.
Which is how Aventurine is content to spend his days on the island following the man as he does his work. He even starts talking to him, and while he only answers in barks and huffs, Ratio seems to understand. It makes for a warm companionship that Aventurine hasn't experienced since his family-- well. Since then.
Sometimes, after the sun has set and the light in the windows of the cabin has gone, Aventurine slides out of his seal skin. To walk along the beach and retrace whatever he and Ratio had done today, only pretending he had hands to help and to hold Ratio's. And, sometimes, he sits on the edge of the dock and simply stares at the windows, the door.
He knows better than to present himself as he is, no matter how kind the doctor is. Still-- he can't help but wonder what it would be like.
It's not important though, not when he's happy to simply throw himself out of the water as a seal on a bright spring morning, barking a greeting at the man.
seal with a crush.
But with the seals he's respectful, if stiffly formal. None of them are selkie like him, of course, but they're good company and look out for him as much as he does them. And Ratio looks out for them all.
Which is how Aventurine is content to spend his days on the island following the man as he does his work. He even starts talking to him, and while he only answers in barks and huffs, Ratio seems to understand. It makes for a warm companionship that Aventurine hasn't experienced since his family-- well. Since then.
Sometimes, after the sun has set and the light in the windows of the cabin has gone, Aventurine slides out of his seal skin. To walk along the beach and retrace whatever he and Ratio had done today, only pretending he had hands to help and to hold Ratio's. And, sometimes, he sits on the edge of the dock and simply stares at the windows, the door.
He knows better than to present himself as he is, no matter how kind the doctor is. Still-- he can't help but wonder what it would be like.
It's not important though, not when he's happy to simply throw himself out of the water as a seal on a bright spring morning, barking a greeting at the man.
After all, he is his favorite human by far. )